Satara :- Kranti Jyotii Savitribai Phule and Mahatma Jotirao Phule are a blessing to the nation. They inspire us for social work. A grand memorial for Savitribai Phule will be constructed in Naigaon, Taluka Khandala, District Satara, over an area of ten acres, with an expenditure of 100 crore rupees, announced Chief Minister Eknath Shinde today.
The 193rd birth anniversary celebration of the great social reformer, Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule, was held in Naigaon (Taluka Khandala) under the auspices of the State Government and Satara District Council, in the presence of Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. He spoke at the event, which was also attended by Minister of Food and Civil Supplies Chhagan Bhujbal, Minister of Excise and Guardian Minister of Satara Shambhuraj Desai, Minister of Housing, Other Backward Classes and Bahujan Welfare Atul Save, Chairperson of the State Women’s Commission Rupali Chakankar, MLA Mahadev Jankar, Chairman of Annasaheb Patil Economic Backward Development Corporation Narendra Patil, and MLAs Makrand Patil, Jaykumar Gore, Mahesh Shinde.
Chief Minister Shinde stated that Savitribai Phule revolutionised women’s education at a time when the concept of women’s independence was unknown. She guided society and made decisions that have been guiding many generations. Bowing before her legacy energises social work. She is an inspiration to me. The government will make every effort to ensure that Savitribai Phule’s contributions, sacrifices, and legacy are known to every segment of society.
Describing Kranti Jyoti Savitribai Phule as the beacon of women’s education, Chief Minister Shinde said that her immense efforts in women’s education led to the dawn of education in women’s lives, shaping progressive Maharashtra. Today, women are part of the mainstream, and her work has made women strong, not weak. Preserving this history is our primary duty. The government has generously funded the maintenance of her memorial in Satara.
Chief Minister Shinde expressed pride in a Marathi woman leading a naval warship, attributing this achievement to the inspiration drawn from Savitribai Phule. Without her, society and the country would have been fifty years behind. She lit the torch of education in women’s hands, illuminating society and teaching to stand against injustice, even if it means opposing one’s own.
Praising the Phule couple, Chief Minister Shinde said that their work is our pride. To ensure their legacy is remembered by future generations, a large memorial is being constructed at their residence in Bhide Wada. The government has initiated several schemes for women’s empowerment, including the ‘Lek Ladki’ scheme, providing funds for women’s empowerment through the District Annual Plan, offering a 50% concession on ST travel fares for women, and planning to market and sell products made by women’s self-help groups. Hostels for girls from other backward classes are being launched in 72 locations by January end.
At the event, winners of the painting competition held by the Zilla Parishad on the occasion of Savitribai Phule’s birth anniversary were honored. Notable individuals were recognised through ‘Mahajyoti’. The online inauguration of the portal for the Women’s Self-Reliance Interest Repayment Scheme (Swayamsiddhi) by the Maharashtra State Other Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation was conducted by Chief Minister Shinde. The event was attended by District Collector Jitendra Dudi, Chief Executive Officer of ZP Gyaneshwar Khilari, Superintendent of Police Sameer Sheikh, Managing Director of Mahajyoti Rajesh Khavle, Sarpanch Sadhana Nevse, officials, women from savings groups, school and college students, and citizens.
